The lighter and more efficient "re-evolution" Audi RS Q e-tron E2 will challenge Dakar.

Easy car original? A few days ago, Audi officially released RS Q e-tron E2. The new car is based on the electric drive architecture of RS Q e-tron and core components such as e-quattro four-wheel drive, and has been optimized in appearance and weight, thus bringing better aerodynamic performance and better energy efficiency improvement.

Audi is the first brand to challenge the Dakar Rally with electric racing cars. Audi RS Q e-tron won three stage championships last season, while RS Q e-tron E2, as a "version 2.0", will play in Morocco Rally in 2022 and Dakar Rally in 2023.

As we all know, the Dakar Rally is a real contest between man and nature, which attracts many manufacturers and professional drivers every year. As a professional cross-country rally, apart from the huge temperature difference between day and night, the car's failure, disorientation, or lack of oil and food are all potential uncontrollable factors.

For the arrival of RS Q e-tron E2, Rolf Michl, general manager of Audi Sports Co., Ltd. said: "The team has made a brand-new design of the car body with more impact, without adopting the previous vehicle structure, and has made a lightweight design to make it more like a racing car, thus better reducing the center of gravity, enhancing aerodynamic performance, and striving to bring new breakthroughs in the new season."

As the first new energy vehicle in the history of the event, Audi RS Q e-tron won three of the 12 stages in the first battle, becoming the first stage champion won by an electric-driven racing car in Dakar history, dispelling people's previous concerns about whether an electric Audi can successfully finish the race.

As the successor, RS Q e-tron E2 will continue to use the extended-range hybrid system consisting of a 2.0T engine and three motors, but it has also been improved and upgraded, including setting more accurate energy control for the power supply, optimizing the energy consumption of auxiliary systems such as servo pumps, air-conditioning cooling pumps and fans, and further optimizing the details of the auxiliary systems to improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle.

The more stunning design on RS Q e-tron E2 brings better aerodynamic performance. Relying on Audi's rich professionals in aerodynamics, the R&D team has applied many experimental concepts in the overall form of E2, which can even be said to be the Dakar version of Le Mans prototype racing car (LMP).

Benedikt Brunninger, technical manager of Audi Dakar Rally, said: "The electric drive platform tested in Dakar has proved its reliability and stability. However, in the desert rally, the aerodynamic performance can not be underestimated. The new design makes the RS Q e-tron E2 more outstanding in aerodynamic performance, and the comprehensive wind resistance is reduced by about 65,438+05%. These successful cases will also be applied to production vehicles in the future. "

Stéphane Peterhansel, the driver of Audi sports team and the champion of Dakar Rally, is also full of expectations for the new car: "Last season, driving the innovative electric drive system of Audi RS Q e-tron made driving very interesting, with sufficient power and simple operation, just focusing on steering, throttle and speed. Our first full-court champion in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge proved our strength. Electric racing has brought me a brand-new experience, but for RS Q e-tron? E2 also makes me look forward to the breakthrough in the new season, and I am willing to explore with Audi. "

In addition, the cabin interior of RS Q e-tron E2 has also been simplified. The display is still in the driver's field of vision and is located in the center console according to the previous style. The central switch panel with 24 display areas is also retained. However, engineers reorganized the display and control system to optimize the operating experience. The operation of replacing damaged tires is also easier. The new ten-spoke wheel rim of partner Rotiform is easier to operate, and drivers and navigators can grasp the wheel hub more easily and complete the replacement more safely.

Facing the complex natural environment along the Dakar route, RS Q e-tron demonstrated Audi's innovation and breakthrough. As Markus Duesmann, Chairman of Audi's Board of Directors, said, "The Dakar Rally is the most difficult race in the world and the perfect stage for Audi to develop and test innovative technologies."

Regarding the success of the 2022 season with RS Q e-tron, Stéphane Peterhansel said: "In the first phase of 2022, Audi RS Q e-tron did excellent work in all aspects, and we also won the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. So I believe that this year's RS Q e-tron E2 is not only more reliable, but also brings better performance. "

As the second Audi electric racing car to participate in the Dakar Rally, RS Q e-tron E2 continues the previously innovative electric drive system, and the details of the upgrade also show more distinctive future concepts. Audi driver and navigator combination Mattias Ekstr? M and Emil Berger Quest, Stephen Peter hansel and Edward boulanger, Carlos sainz and Lucas Cruz will usher in a brand-new cockpit.

Let's look forward to the new breakthrough of Audi RS Q e-tron E2 in this year's Dakar Rally.

The interview is recorded as follows. Interviewees: Rolf Michl, general manager of Audi Sports Co., Ltd., Benedikt Brunninger, technical manager of Audi Sports Dakar Rally, and Stéphane Peterhansel, driver of Audi Sports Team and champion of Dakar Rally;

Q 1: I was surprised to see that the whole new car has changed a lot. In fact, observing last year's race, as long as the suspension and reliability are slightly adjusted on the basis of the original car, plus some days, we will be one step closer to the championship. And next season, we will also benefit from the increase in the requirements for car weight. In this context, what is the consideration for Audi to upgrade the structure, aerodynamics and suspension of the car so much? When did you make this decision?

Rolf Michl: Audi always faces the future and does forward-looking work. This is a very sophisticated and complicated model, which we developed in a record short time. Through the first quarter of 2022, we have gained valuable experience, and there is still a lot of room for improvement and many details worth digging to achieve all-round improvement. The most important thing in the improvement of this new car is to reduce the weight. We have made great changes to the car body to make it look more like a racing car, which also brings another benefit, that is, the reduction of the center of gravity and the enhancement of aerodynamic performance. On the other hand, we also hope to present an upgraded car with continuous breakthrough and great impact for Audi's loyal users and fans, so as to meet the expectations of racing enthusiasts for the Audi brand.

Q2: The aerodynamic performance of the first generation Audi RS Q e-tron is not particularly emphasized, but it is particularly emphasized on the RS Q e-tron E2. Why? Is it because better aerodynamics is the key to winning the game?

Rolf Michl: Of course, from our long-term experiments and research, good aerodynamic performance is the key index representing excellent automobile performance. Audi has a wealth of professionals in the field of aerodynamics, and they have also provided great support for the research and development of Dakar rally cars. E2 has applied many experimental ideas in the overall form, which can be said to be the Dakar version of the Le Mans prototype (LMP).

Benedikt Brunninger: Excellent aerodynamic performance not only means low wind resistance, the new car E2 is reduced by about 15%, but more importantly, the overall efficiency is improved, which is the key to winning the race in the future. Moreover, improving efficiency is not only important for racing cars, but also for production cars.

Q3: Will it be more advantageous for an experienced Mr. Dakar to introduce the rules of AB Daoshu this year?

Stéphane Peterhansel: At present, the organizer has not revealed more information about this new rule, so frankly speaking, as a driver, I don't know how to deal with this rule, which is a challenge for my partner, Edouard boulanger. But my understanding is that the organizers hope to add some fun and variables to this competition and let the contestants have new challenges.

Q4: What is the essential difference between driving an electric drive racing car and a traditional fuel racing car? Will electric vehicles become the mainstream of Dakar in the future?

Stéphane Peterhansel: The experience of driving an Audi electric drive car was better than I expected at first. Audi's innovative electric drive system makes driving very interesting, full of power and simple to operate, just pay attention to steering, throttle and speed. Our first full-court champion in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge proved our strength. Electric racing is the product of the new era, which brings me a brand-new experience and is amazing. As for whether electric vehicles will become mainstream in Dakar, I am willing to discuss with Audi.